Turner: Bolts not as good as outsiders think

Norv is right! Who in the hell put this 8-8 team on a pedestal this off season? We were 8-8 last year and should not have made the playoffs. What did we do this off season to get better? Why has everyone made us out to be the AFC champs? Because Merriman is back?

Click to expand...

His press conference speak should only take the pressure off the team. With 5 starters hurt after the Oakland game noone surely can speak of a superbowl bound team, but getting under the radar would be fine.

I just saw the whoöe game vs. Ravens. It was just a lack of luck to get the last TD. The critics on Norv and Ron are okay,
first half defense was unseen, why take RB Bennett out of the game, but our depth played well and we'll see Ravens again in the playoffs.

Ha! That is the purpose of a forum. None of us are what you call qualified. Who is qualified? A coach? A GM? Certainly not a beat writer who has less that 10 years of experience following a team. I will take a 30+ year fans opinion over a 10 year beat writer (not fan) any day.

Wow. After a day to digest what he said, I agree, but I think a lot has been taken out of context, we all are guilty of having freakishly lofty expectations, including 19-0. That's not likely, nor is 12-4, or 13-3... for now. Read that again -- for now we'll be okay, we have two weeks of play before our bye week, so we'll figure out something.

In my opinion this loss is on both Norv and the players (although injuries are part of the issue for some of the problems). Ultimately, it does fall on Norv. What I find interesting is that everyone loves to quote Norv's success in December and January. Has he had success in those months? Yes. Has he made good play calls in critical situations? Yes again, however I question his ability to motivate and create discipline within the team. And I must admit that I wonder how much of our success in December and January is him and not the players finally realizing that they are not as good as everyone else thinks they are, hence taking charge themselves.

This is my point, since Norv has been here we have started slow and, IMO, unprepared, undisciplined, and lacked the fire and intensity that most teams do when they start the season. I blame this all on Norv, that is where it starts. Look at the Baltimore game, barring the stupid play calling, look how many ridiculous penalties we had. Well coached teams don't do that. Baltimore wasn't even close in penalties. Look at Norv's history as a head coach elsewhere, you will find similar issues.

Now having said all of this, do I think we will turn it around? Yes, however I believe that a lot of it will be because of the other leaders within the organization. It is interesting when you talk to someone who has either worked for Norv or has an inside perspective to hear what they "really" think of him. It isn't as rosy as everyone believes (which I had a privilege to talk to someone just this week who had that inside perspective, to remain nameless).

Anyway, there is nothing we can do to change the situation. All we can do is remain supportive and hope that we can get this turned around. At least we are not playing in the AFC East.

Ha! That is the purpose of a forum. None of us are what you call qualified. Who is qualified? A coach? A GM? Certainly not a beat writer who has less that 10 years of experience following a team. I will take a 30+ year fans opinion over a 10 year beat writer (not fan) any day.

Click to expand...

I have to agree, they are not different than any of us. They are opinionated and biased, heck, they can't even agree with each other on the same subject. Ultimately, there view is subjective just as our is. Whoever quoted them, I hope they don't try using "beat writers" as reference material in their research papers (if they are going to school)....they will find out really quickly that it is not a reputable source.

In my opinion this loss is on both Norv and the players (although injuries are part of the issue for some of the problems). Ultimately, it does fall on Norv. What I find interesting is that everyone loves to quote Norv's success in December and January. Has he had success in those months? Yes. Has he made good play calls in critical situations? Yes again, however I question his ability to motivate and create discipline within the team. And I must admit that I wonder how much of our success in December and January is him and not the players finally realizing that they are not as good as everyone else thinks they are, hence taking charge themselves.

This is my point, since Norv has been here we have started slow and, IMO, unprepared, undisciplined, and lacked the fire and intensity that most teams do when they start the season. I blame this all on Norv, that is where it starts. Look at the Baltimore game, barring the stupid play calling, look how many ridiculous penalties we had. Well coached teams don't do that. Baltimore wasn't even close in penalties. Look at Norv's history as a head coach elsewhere, you will find similar issues.

Now having said all of this, do I think we will turn it around? Yes, however I believe that a lot of it will be because of the other leaders within the organization. It is interesting when you talk to someone who has either worked for Norv or has an inside perspective to hear what they "really" think of him. It isn't as rosy as everyone believes (which I had a privilege to talk to someone just this week who had that inside perspective, to remain nameless).

Anyway, there is nothing we can do to change the situation. All we can do is remain supportive and hope that we can get this turned around. At least we are not playing in the AFC East.

Click to expand...

Something to notice from the past...

When players spoke to the Media about Marty... they said it with excitement and entheuseum. It showed on their face and was heard in their voice. If they didn't win, they would go down fighting.

When players speak to the media about Norv, they know they can't say what they really feel. Just ask Osgood. Their face is blank and they're speaking under their voice.

Before some of you get bent out of shape, I would have had no problem ditching Marty for someone better. There are many great coaches available that would love to be here. There was NO need to settle!

When players spoke to the Media about Marty... they said it with excitement and entheuseum.

Click to expand...

What's entheuseum? A mucous form of nauseum?

Seriously... It depends on which player because Schrottenheimer DID play favorites.

BOLTS4LIFE said:

There was NO need to settle!

Click to expand...

Your distaste for Norv is almost cartoon like. Kind of an Acme school of football logic. Nobody is going to mind seeing the anvil hit the powerlines and land on your head... because winning is more fun than railing on head coaches.

SAN DIEGO (AP)—Whether he’s trying to deflect criticism of his play-calling or delivering some kind of pre-emptive strike, coach Norv Turner has a message for fans—the San Diego Chargers aren’t as good as outsiders think they are.

But he said Monday at the start of his weekly news conference that he believes the team can get there.

The Chargers (1-1) lost their home opener on Sunday to the Baltimore Ravens, 31-26.

Although Philip Rivers(notes) threw for a career-high 436 yards, fans booed when Turner called for a field goal on third-and-goal on the Baltimore 5 with 10 seconds to go before halftime.

San Diego’s final drive ended when Ray Lewis(notes) stuffed Darren Sproles(notes) on fourth-and-2 from the Baltimore 15 in the closing seconds.

With all the hand wringing and whining in here, I don't think many people think Norv is that good.

Click to expand...

Are we really going to base the Chargers coaching staff and their value on how often people complain on message boards? There are plenty of cliches to throw around right now (grass is always greener, be careful what you ask for, don't quit your day job) but I think the best one is that some people are never happy. Right now there are people in Boston complaining about the Patriots, fans in Pitt giving up on the Steelers, Ravens fans questioning their defense. We are lucky enough to watch an incredibly talented team every week. Do you really think guys like Rivers, Jackson, Gates, and Sproles would be stars if the talent was really mismanaged?

I'm not sure about you guys, but I like Norv overall for a couple of reasons, but mainly the relationship he has with his QBs. Everytime I watch a Norv then a Rivers interview they seem to be on the same page.

Norv: we aren't as good as we can be right now, but we can get there and have a lot of work to do it

Rivers: yeah i agree, if we were peaking right now in week 2 we'd be in trouble

Are we really going to base the Chargers coaching staff and their value on how often people complain on message boards? There are plenty of cliches to throw around right now (grass is always greener, be careful what you ask for, don't quit your day job) but I think the best one is that some people are never happy. Right now there are people in Boston complaining about the Patriots, fans in Pitt giving up on the Steelers, Ravens fans questioning their defense. We are lucky enough to watch an incredibly talented team every week. Do you really think guys like Rivers, Jackson, Gates, and Sproles would be stars if the talent was really mismanaged?

I'm not sure about you guys, but I like Norv overall for a couple of reasons, but mainly the relationship he has with his QBs. Everytime I watch a Norv then a Rivers interview they seem to be on the same page.

Norv: we aren't as good as we can be right now, but we can get there and have a lot of work to do it

Rivers: yeah i agree, if we were peaking right now in week 2 we'd be in trouble

Successful coaches adjust the plays they use to the players abilities (strengths and weaknesses) they have on hand and set the players up to be successful. Successful play calling comes from the insight a coach has of his team and the other team.

IMO....Many times it seems Norv doesn't use the players he has to the best advantage of the team. JMHO

Are we really going to base the Chargers coaching staff and their value on how often people complain on message boards? There are plenty of cliches to throw around right now (grass is always greener, be careful what you ask for, don't quit your day job) but I think the best one is that some people are never happy. Right now there are people in Boston complaining about the Patriots, fans in Pitt giving up on the Steelers, Ravens fans questioning their defense. We are lucky enough to watch an incredibly talented team every week. Do you really think guys like Rivers, Jackson, Gates, and Sproles would be stars if the talent was really mismanaged?

I'm not sure about you guys, but I like Norv overall for a couple of reasons, but mainly the relationship he has with his QBs. Everytime I watch a Norv then a Rivers interview they seem to be on the same page.

Norv: we aren't as good as we can be right now, but we can get there and have a lot of work to do it

Rivers: yeah i agree, if we were peaking right now in week 2 we'd be in trouble

Click to expand...

glad we went through last season, i can't give up on my team, even when there's four games to go and we're three games behind or something like that. it's week two, i sure as hell wont say this shits all that bad. we've been through MUCH worse

I think it's a bit of a stretch to say Norv had "waaaaaaay" more weapons than Marty.

Sure, Norv has better WRs, but Marty had LT in his prime AND Michael Turner. Norv has a hobbled LT and Darren Sproles.

Marty also had a healthy Shawne Merriman and a dangerous-because-Merriman is on the other side-Shaun Phillips and Wade Phillips using his weapons correctly. Norv has an injured, not as effective Merriman, a depleted DL, and had Ted Cotrell for most of his tenure.

As for the retort about Norv's ringless fingers, as I said, I wasn't defending him.

I think it's a bit of a stretch to say Norv had "waaaaaaay" more weapons than Marty.

Sure, Norv has a better WR corpse, but Marty had LT in his prime AND Michael Turner. Norv has a hobbled LT and Darren Sproles.

Marty also had a healthy Shawne Merriman and a dangerous-because-Merriman is on the other side-Shaun Phillips and Wade Phillips using his weapons correctly. Norv has an injured, not as effective Merriman, a depleted DL, and had Ted Cotrell for most of his tenure.

As for the retort about Norv's ringless fingers, as I said, I wasn't defending him.

Click to expand...

Norv had Turner too. We just didn't see much of him until LT got hurt.